Homemade Hot Apple Cider

Savor the flavors of fall and make this homemade hot apple cider recipe that’s guaranteed to chase the chills away!

This recipe has just the right combination of apple and spices to make it the nicest fragrant cozy drink. Add it to the list of holiday and winter favorites!

Cozy Hot Apple Cider

Everyone loves a cozy cup of apple cider! Kids love it warmed with a dollop of whipped cream and adults will love it served as a hot toddy spiked with a splash of rum or another alcohol like Irish whiskey.It’s one of those winter drinks that warms you from the inside out.Unlike apple juice, which is pasteurized and available year-round, apple cider is fresh and unfiltered with a savory flavor which is why it’s often seen at pumpkin patches and hayrides.

Ingredients for Hot Apple Cider

Fruit – Any apple variety will work; red apples are softer and sweeter than green apples which are firm and tart. Why not try a colorful mix of both? Thinly slice before using.

Orange peel (or orange zest) and lemon peel add a lot of flavor to this easy hot apple cider recipe.

Sugar & Spice – 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon can be substituted for cinnamon sticks, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of apple pie spice can be substituted for all spices. Sweeten with brown sugar or a splash of maple syrup.

Garnishes – Other colorful garnishes to consider are cinnamon sticks, whole star anise, cloves, and even a few cinnamon red-hot candies.

Spiked Cider – So many great ideas, here! Set out bottles of spiced rum, brandy, bourbon or Grand Marnier, and let everyone spike their own drinks!

How to Make Hot Apple Cider

Cut three large pieces of rind from the lemon and orange (only the skin, not the white part, aka ‘pith’).Make a sachet from a 6” piece of cheesecloth with all the spices, fruit peels, and half of the apple slices (as per the recipe below). Tie up the sachet and simmer it in a large pan with apple cider until warmed. Ladle into mugs.Before serving, remove the spice bundle and garnish with cranberries, remaining apple slices, and orange slices.

How Long Does It Last?

Hot apple cider is one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day, so don’t worry about making too much!

Keep It Warm

If serving guests, heat the cider on the stovetop and keep it warm in a slow cooker on the warm (or low) setting.

In the Refrigerator: This hot cider should last 7 to 10 days.In the Freezer: Let cool and pour into an airtight container, leaving about 2 inches at the top for expansion.

Simply reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warm.

More Holiday Beverages

Keep a few (or all!) of these classic holiday beverages on rotation for holiday parties!

Did you make this Hot Apple Cider? Leave us a rating and a comment below!